I want to go home.

Our soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen fight and die for us, some come home seriously injured, others come home physically but can never mentally or emotionally leave the war. Please remember them in your prayers, and never forget who fights to keep you free!

My hands cover my ears and I crouch in a corner, explosions seem to come from everywhere, people scream, I squeeze my eyes close, and bite my lip, trying to keep the screams from leaping out my throat. My shoulder moves, someone is shaking me, “Sweetie, please, it’s not real, come back.” I hear as if from a distance, and my eyes open, I’m curled up in the corner of my living rom, my wife is shaking me, “Sweetie, it’s OK, you’re safe.” She whispers, there are tears in her eyes, my eyes drift to the ground, I’m breathing hard. “Explosions, we’re not safe here, we have to go!” I exclaim trying to get to my feet, my wife gently pushes me back down, “Finn, honey, we’re fine, we’re safe here sweetie, you’re not in Afghanistan.” She says, she’s about to cry. I shake my head and force myself to stand up, “No, no, there everywhere, you have to watch where you step, we have to go!” I insist, I see fire around us, the explosions must’ve started it, I grab my wife and try to drag her away, “Come!” I order, “Finn, listen to me, it’s not real!” she says pulling back, Please, just sit down, and take a deep breath.” She begs, “No, no!” I yell, I turn and desperately run from the room, out the door, and turn and keep running, I have to, I have to get away from the explosions, the screams, I keep running my vision seems to shift, I see sand, I can’t seem to breath right as I run. Finally I collapse and lean my back against the wall, my chest is heaving. The explosions still boom in the back round, I close my eyes, I just want everything to go away, I want to go home, I want to go home.

1 in 8 of our soldiers come home with PTSD, they can’t leave the war behind them, support our troop, at home and abroad, help our injured soldiers, don’t let them fight alone.

I thank all our past, present, and future fighters, and I pray that they come home safely. If you see a veteran please thank them for serving and remember all that died to protect you, and all soldiers that are injured and hurting.

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This was heatbreaking. I like the title, but the paragraphs seemed a little long. Sorry, I know I sound so picky, but that's probably about it. I would be honored if you read some of my stories. Thanks if you can, and if you can't (or didn't like them), sorry.

I've had family in the army, but they've never made it home to have PTSD, but I do know that what soldiers go through is basically hell and it's all for us. This is a good peice and it's really moving. The only thing I would say is that try: "show not tell". It's something I tell everyone to work on because it is always something people can get better at, myself included. But just try to explain something without saying what's happening. Other than that I love t... (more »)

This was beautifuly written. I've read a number of war stories, most long winded, and most taking place durring the actual war. This was something different entirly though, because you showed that in a way, the war is never over. You really captured the situation and the emotions behind it perfectly.
And the way it switched from the story itself to statistics was genius, and it left me thinking. Absolutly a beautiful piece of work.

This is a beautiful piece. As it very well gets to the point, it is just the right length to make us all stop... and think. I'm going to think about this forever, and the images that you placed in my head are going to stay there like they're smothered in glue. You are an amazing writer. Truly, God bless America!
~Honor Our Veterans~
Please, RTF, if you don't mind. (Return the favor.)

Oh. My. Gosh. I love this, love the message, love the directness, love the writing, love the imagery. If it was a little longer I think it would have had enough time to make me start bawling. Totally amazing job.

Great job, and a great message. I only spotted a few things, super tiny things that definitely won't affect your rating. One was that you used "there" instead of "they're". The other thing is that you used "OK". In, like, text or any other online chat, it's fine to use "OK" in that format. However, in proper writing, you'll want to spell it out fully (okay). Other than those two things, this was really great writing on your part. C... (more »)